Hudson senior center warrant item amended, budget to go forward as is following town deliberative session

By APRIL GUILMETUnion Leader Correspondent

HUDSON -- A move to place raises for Hudson's department heads back into the proposed operating budget failed by a narrow margin at Saturday's town deliberative session.The secret-ballot vote failed as attending citizens were divided in their opinions on the matter, with 46 voting “no” and 44 voting “yes.”

The move would have added $16,0000 to next year's proposed $28,832,690 operating budget, which is $35,918 higher than the default budget and would represent a one-cent per thousand tax increase next year.Another secret-ballot vote was taken on a proposal to remove $13,000 in raises for library workers from the operating budget also failed to pass, with 47 citizens voting "no" and 40 voting "yes."Several amendments were passed on the floor for Article 12, a proposal to build a $1,778,022 facility housing a new senior center and local cable access studio at Benson's Park.Town Clerk Patti Barry said the bottom-line number was increased to $1,821,515 to reflect more current building estimates, including the cost of the building's roof.Monies from the town's Cable Access Center Capital Reserve Fund had initially been set at $844,467, but have since been increased to $895,595.The article also includes a provision for the Hudson Seniors Council on Aging to contribute $303,504 towards the project: that amount has been increased to $305,528.A transfer of $512,055 funds from the Future Senior Center Capital Reserve Fund was amended to reflect a $9,659 reduction in funds.If approved by voters next month, the new Hudson Senior Center and Hudson Community Television building will be built near the park's entrance off Kimball Hill Road.The two-story facility would be designed to fit in with the site's existing construction as it will resemble a big, red barn, with the TV studio operating out of the basement and senior activities held upstairs.Also moved forward to the March 12 ballot were five Hudson union contracts: the combined contracts would represent a 14 cent per thousand dollar tax rate impact if passed next month.AGuilmet@newstote.com